Tips for Hiring a Roofing Contractor

When hiring a roofing contractor it is vital that you find a trusted professional to repair or replace one of the most vital structures of your building or home. Here are some helpful tips and reminders of key things to keep in mind when arranging such a project.

Long term savings

When deciding on a roofing contractor, you should always get multiple bids from many different companies. Of course, you will be tempted to immediately go with the lowest bid to save capital, but consider your long term savings. If one bid is significantly lower than the others, it might be because that contractor is missing vital certifications, or uses cheaper materials that will not last as long. Do some investigation first, to make sure that you go with an option that balances quality and a good bargain.

Insurance

Your contractor should definitely have at a minimum, worker’s compensation and general liability insurance. Make sure that you do not just take someone’s word for it, but you actually ask to see the certificates and call the insurance carrier to confirm that they have valid coverage. This might seem like a bit much, just to confirm that a contractor is indeed insured, but you will thank yourself for taking these precautions. This way, you are subjected to high costs should anything happen. Part of the cost of the roof and its service is the protection of coverage.

Other Certifications

Insurance is not the only certification that you should ask to see before deciding on a roofing contractor. Many roofing products come with a manufacturer’s warranty. However, if these products are installed by an uncertified contractor, those warranties may not be valid, so be sure to check and ask about manufacturer certification and warranties. Every state or county has different requirements in regards to roofing licenses, so be sure to verify with your local licensing board. They will have records of which contractors hold up to date licenses.

Referrals

One of the most trusted ways of verifying credibility of a contractor is by asking for recommendations or referrals. These referrals can come from manufacturers, other contractors, or even facility managers at other companies. Do not hesitate to ask for at least three references from the roofing company itself. Of course, you will already expect that they will direct you to individuals with which they have had positive experiences in the past, but they will be able to give you an idea about what it was like working with that contractor. With today’s vast resources of online reviews, you should be able to search and find feedback from past customers online that will give you a good idea as well.

Get Job Details in Writing

All specifications of what the roofing job will entail should be defined in a written contract and signed by both you and the contractor. This will set expectations clearly, both for you and the roofer so that you are both satisfied with the experience. The contract should also include a time frame of how long the job will take, a final completion day, and you can even ask what size crew they will have, just so you have a clear expectation.